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If you’re considering tennis summer camp for your kids, you’re one of the many parents that are taking good steps to ensure your child develops a healthy, active lifestyle. While choosing the right tennis camp is your priority, it is also important to make sure your child is wearing the right clothing once they are enrolled. Tennis players need to move quickly and carefully on their feet, which is why the shoes they wear make all the difference in how well and safe they play. Here’s how to choose the right tennis shoe based on the court surface, your child’s playing style, and their foot type.
Different Shoes for Different Court Surfaces
Grass Court Tennis Shoes
Shoes for grass courts need specific features to ensure that they grip the ground so there is no chance of slipping. The shoe needs a flatter outsole as well, so the court is not damaged when player run around. The feet need freedom to move, which is why these shoes will have a flexible upper piece.
Clay Court Tennis Shoes
Clay courts are firmer than grass but can be dusty, which is why players will need shoes that offer stability, lateral support, and grip. The tight upper is also an important design feature to keep the foot secure as the player moves side to side.
Hard Court Tennis Shoes
Hard courts are considered to be the middle ground between clay and grass courts. This “neutral” ground requires shoes that have a tough outsole, cushioning and bounce-back, and a tough upper for stability.
Consider Your Playing Style
Baseline Player
The position of baseline players on the court is along the back of the line. These players need shoes that provide lateral support and have a durable sole because of the constant lateral movement.
Serve-and-Volley Player
The players who charge the net are known as serve-and-volley players. They often slide their back foot along the court to perform the serve, which means they will need a shoe that has a durable toecap and a medial inside the arch. These provide the support needed to prevent injury and damage to the foot and ankle during the game.
Determine Your Foot Type
Overpronation
Overpronated feet are when most or all of the foot touches the ground when you take a step. A good way to test this is to step with a wet foot on a dark piece of construction paper to see the imprint of the foot. Overpronators need arch and ankle support in their shoes to prevent them from rolling their feet inward.
Neutral
Neutral feet have a moderate space in the arch area, and athletes with these feet are the easiest to shop for. They can wear virtually any tennis shoe and do not require any extra support or flexibility in their shoe.
Under Pronation or Supination
Players with under pronation or supination will notice a large open area where their arch is. They may tend to roll their foot outwards when they walk, so a more flexible shoe will help them make faster lateral movements without hurting their feet. The shoes should also alleviate shock issues to give the foot more support.
Choose Our Tennis Camp for Your Child
At Bayview Village Tennis Camps in North York and Toronto, your child will learn and enjoy the lifelong sport of tennis, and develop into talented, skilled players. We make it our priority to ensure our students are safe, healthy, and equipped with all they need to enjoy their time at camp, which is why we want to answer any of your questions. Our Tennis Canada-certified instructors are experts at what they do, so if you have any questions or need more information, visit our web site, call us at (905) 889-7293, or e-mail us at pnielsen889@rogers.com.